I--I have reason to believe that she intended this marriage to serve as a shield, or cloak, for her own purposes, which were, I regret to say, largely inspired by a stubborn resolve not to marry a man who is suitable as a husband in every way--by birth, social position, and distinguished prospects." "Her own purposes.

What does that mean exactly ?" "It means that she was contracting a marriage as a matter of form.
Don't you see that this consideration, and this alone, made it possible for an impertinent outsider like Curtis to offer his services as de Courtois's substitute, while my misguided daughter was equally prepared to accept them ?" "Ah!" The eyelids shut tightly once more, and the Earl, feeling rather irritated and disturbed by this unpleasing habit, shifted his chair noisily.

He found, however, that Mr.Schmidt merely kept the shutters down for a rather longer period than before, and, as the lawyer impressed him with a sense of power and ability, he resolved to put up with a peculiarity which was certainly disconcerting.
"May I ask if your daughter is what is popularly known as a pretty girl, my lord ?" demanded Schmidt suddenly.
"Yes.

She is remarkably good-looking, but----" "Motive, my lord, motive.

I was wondering why Curtis should behave like a thundering idiot.